Global Health Initiatives

Global Health Initiatives

Neurological care is delivered very differently across different countries and different health care systems. Residents in the OHSU Neurology Residency Program have the opportunity to better understand neurological heath care disparities and systems of care delivery through our Global Health electives.

Currently, we have set in place the structure to permit elective experiences at two very different sites.

Tanzania

First, residents have the opportunity to travel to Tanzania with one of our faculty to participate in the care of neurological patients at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi, Tanzania. Here, the resident will learn to diagnose and treat patients with neurological diseases present in sub-Saharan Africa. Many of these disorders including cerebral malaria, rabies, tetanus, leprosy, schistosomiasis and other parasitic infections are not encountered in residency training in the United States. The elective will offer the resident a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge of tropical neurology. The resident will enrich his/her communication and interpersonal skills in new ways and will work closely with the KCMC residents, medical students and medical staff.

Taiwan

Second, a resident exchange program is in place with National Taiwan University Hospital  in Taipei, Taiwan. This allows residents the opportunity to experience and compare how neurological care is delivered in two different health care systems in two highly developed countries. For more details about the health care system in Taiwan, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Taiwan.

Additional opportunities are in development—stay tuned!